“Five li from Andu City lies Sanhe Mountain. On the mountain stands Sanhe Academy — one of the most renowned academies in the Andu region. This year happens to be the twenty-fifth anniversary of the academy’s founding. The Imperial Book Office has dispatched an Imperial Book Envoy to Sanhe Academy to present books in celebration.” Chief Secretary Liu said. “The Imperial Book Envoys within the Imperial Book Office are all close attendants of the Emperor himself, so courtesy must be impeccable and every protection afforded. Originally, Prefect Jia and I were to go in person, but given the state we’re in now — alas, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The meaning suddenly dawned on Hua Yitang, and he gave a long “Oh.”

Lin Sui’an understood: plainly speaking, the Emperor had dispatched an inspection team under the guise of presenting books to visit and assess Sanhe Academy. If the reception was inadequate, the “close attendants” of the Imperial Book Envoy were not above making a report in the Emperor’s ear when they returned to the Eastern Capital — more than enough to give all the great and small officials of Andu a very unpleasant time of it.

In other words, the crux of this task was to wine, dine, entertain, and flatter — to fawn and pay lavish compliments. Well — it had to be said, Hua Yitang truly was the ideal candidate.

Jin Ruo heard this and immediately waved his hands. “Let me be clear first — I’m not going on this wretched errand. I still have all of Andu’s finest food to eat my way through with Yita and the others!”

Yita and the Four Saints nodded vigorously. “Going with — Jin Ruo — eating, eating, eating, eating!”

Hua Yitang’s expression was also a little reluctant. “Hua here has only just arrived — being entrusted with such a great responsibility so soon fills me with some trepidation. Military Advisor Zheng has been in Andu for many years and is surely more familiar with all the details. Why not send Military Advisor Zheng instead?”

Chief Secretary Liu let out a long sigh. “Military Advisor Zheng is timid by nature and not good at conversation. He’s perfectly fine buried in his work — but to put him out front and center would be worse than putting him to death. Fourth Young Master comes from a great noble family and is a rising star at court. His character is straightforward and his manners gracious. He is by far the most fitting candidate — please don’t decline.”

Hua Yitang smiled awkwardly. “To be honest, I never liked studying as a child — and I was on the lively side. All six of the tutors who taught me ended up coughing blood in rage. My elder brother nearly flogged the skin off my backside with a cane for it, and now I’ve been left with a deep-seated aversion — the moment I hear the word ‘academy,’ I break into a sweat, and the moment I see a tutor’s beard, I want to yank it.”

Chief Secretary Liu’s eye twitched involuntarily.

Jin Ruo slapped the table laughing. Lin Sui’an let out a “pfft.”

Hua Yitang still looked rather self-satisfied. “The title of Yangdu’s Number One Wastrel is genuinely mine — not a drop of water added. I speak without measuring my words, and if I were to inadvertently make someone else cough blood too, wouldn’t that ruin the whole affair? Chief Secretary Liu, why not reconsider?”

Chief Secretary Liu pinched the bridge of his nose. He had gotten the picture: this Fourth Young Master Hua was proud and headstrong — plainly, he had no desire to go grovel for someone else. Chief Secretary Liu’s gaze drifted toward Lin Sui’an, and an idea suddenly struck him. He gestured for Hua Yitang to lean closer and, lowering his voice, said:

“Fourth Young Master may not know this — Sanhe Academy has scenery of great beauty, renowned as having ‘Three Peaks and Seven Wonders.’ Among them, one wonder is called the Stone Bridge Moon Night: a naturally formed stone bridge, and legend has it that when the moon is at its zenith, if a pair of lovers stands on the bridge together, in the moonlight they can see the red thread of fate from the Old Man Under the Moon bound tightly around their wrists.”

Hua Yitang’s eyes lit up. “Is it truly so miraculous?”

Chief Secretary Liu: “Everyone in Andu knows it — Fourth Young Master is welcome to ask around. The Stone Bridge Moon Night is only open to outsiders once a year, on the Qixi Festival. Countless men and women go to the Stone Bridge to pledge their love, and all manage to be joined in marriage and grow old together. It is remarkably efficacious!”

Hua Yitang’s eyes went wide, his mind running quietly at full speed.

One should neither completely believe nor completely disbelieve in the supernatural. But in any case, it was still an opportunity. What if it actually worked?

Chief Secretary Liu could tell from Hua Yitang’s expression that there was hope. He cleared his throat and raised his voice. “The Sanhe Mountain where Sanhe Academy stands has peaks layered upon peaks, all beautifully formed — densely forested, a truly rare and blessed land. Seven remarkable scenes are especially famous, namely: Gazing at Stars from the Summit, Cloud Sea at Sunset, Rain-Misted Green Peaks, Stone Bridge Moon Night, Three Peaks in Clear Snow, Rouge-Peaks Apricot Grove, and White Rock Clear Springs. There is a verse that says: ‘One who has not seen the Seven Wonders of Sanhe has not truly lived as a citizen of Andu in the Tang Kingdom.'”

All the talk of verses, songs, and scenery even stirred Lin Sui’an’s heart. Since coming to Andu, she had spent every day cooped up in the Hua residence warming herself by the fire and picking at her feet, with no one coming to cause trouble or pick a fight. Her bones were practically rusting over.

“Why don’t I—” Lin Sui’an glanced at Hua Yitang. “—come with you?”

Hua Yitang beamed radiantly. “Gladly.”

Chief Secretary Liu let out a long sigh of relief. “Excellent, excellent. Then Fourth Young Master and Lin Niangzi should set out promptly. If I estimate correctly, the Imperial Book Envoy’s book-escorting convoy should arrive at Sanhe Academy by early afternoon. Leave now and you’ll arrive just in time.”

Lin Sui’an was startled. “This urgently?”

“Not urgent at all — there’s time.” Hua Yitang leapt to his feet. “Mu Xia — get me dressed, pack my things — let’s go!”

“Yes, Fourth Young Master!”

Lin Sui’an watched Hua Yitang’s brisk, hurrying figure and felt a nagging unease: this fellow had just been all limp-shouldered and reluctant a moment ago — why the sudden enthusiasm? Surely he wasn’t about to cause some mischief again?

Chief Secretary Liu was extremely gratified. “Fourth Young Master truly has the spirit of youth — how enviable.”

Meanwhile, in the corridor, Hua Yitang and Mu Xia were sprinting and speedily laying out their plans.

Mu Xia: “Fourth Young Master, do you think the Stone Bridge Moon Night can be trusted?”

Hua Yitang: “Trusted or not, give it a shot first — throw two poles even where there may not be any dates. What if it works?”

“Truly, Fourth Young Master’s thinking is always thorough. Should I bring the framed love poem from last time?”

“Bring it! For once, little Jin Ruo isn’t coming to cause chaos — I must make the most of this opportunity!”

“What about the evening mirror-gauze robe?”

“…That one, let it go…”

“Which incense should I pack?”

“Beauty’s Farewell Tears, Still Drifting Into Dreams of Fond Remembrance, Wind and Moon Boudoir Tender Night, and Morning to Evening Delighting a Spring Heart — bring them all!”

“…Fourth Young Master, isn’t that a bit much?”

“Lin Sui’an is the master of Qian Jing — without heavy doses, nothing will work!”

“Understood!”

The two went at it with ferocious efficiency — rustling and packing five great bags of clothes, incense, snacks, and a jumble of miscellaneous items. Hua Yitang, clutching a wonderfully fragrant robe, climbed happily into the carriage, looked up — and found Fangke seated there as still and impassive as a Buddha.

Hua Yitang: “……”

Fangke: “……”

Hua Yitang: “Physician Fang — what are you doing here?!”

Fangke raised an eyebrow. “Going with you. Where there are cases, there are corpses to examine.”

“Not every outing ends with corpses!”

“Hm. With you around, you never know.”

The curtain lifted and Lin Sui’an stepped in, looking rather surprised. “Physician Fang is coming too.”

Hua Yitang: “He’s not coming.”

Fangke: “I am.”

Lin Sui’an looked between them, smiled, and said, “More people, more fun. That’s fine.”

Fangke was satisfied.

Hua Yitang puffed out his cheeks, rather displeased.

Lin Sui’an found it amusing. From her chest she pulled out the dried beef Mu Xia had specially made, selected a large piece to hand to Hua Yitang, pushed the carriage window open, and gazed out at the passing scenery — her eyes bright and sparkling with anticipation.

Hua Yitang chewed his dried beef with indignation, staring at Lin Sui’an. As he stared, he let out a sigh and smiled too: forget it — as long as she’s happy.

Fangke quietly closed his eyes: what an eyesore.

Andu City’s large population gave off considerable heat, and the snow there had already melted. The snow outside the city still clung to the ground; the further north one went, the deeper the snow and the more biting the cold. Fortunately, the official road had little accumulated snow, and driving was unimpeded. In just under an hour, the outline of Sanhe Mountain came into view.

Sanhe Mountain was a spur of the Taihang Range. To the south was the wide, flat expanse of Andu City; to the north, ranges of peaks rolled on without end. Seen from the air, they would have resembled a green ocean breaking into white waves — the green being the ten-thousand-year pine trees, the white being the snow crowning the peaks.

Sanhe Academy was built into the mountain, its buildings hidden among the trees — tranquil and secluded. The slopes were gentle and easy to climb, with a mountain path wide enough for a carriage; the journey was reasonably convenient.

At the foot of the mountain stood a Sanhe Pavilion — an octagonal gazebo, coolest in summer, and in winter, with charcoal braziers lit and wind-blocking curtains hung around it, a pleasant spot to brew tea, play chess, and admire the view of the three peaks.

When the Hua Family carriage arrived at Sanhe Pavilion, there were already people inside. They spotted the Hua Family crest and the distinctive golden bells, and hastened out to make their greetings: “Welcome, Fourth Young Master!”

There were three of them. The one at the front was past thirty, broad-faced, with thick brows and large eyes, strongly built — though dressed in a scholar’s robe, he carried himself more like a man of martial bearing. Behind him, on the left, was a young man in green — clean-featured and handsome, roughly twenty years of age; on the right was a white-haired elder, hair and temples entirely white, but vigorous and alert, his wide-sleeved robes hanging loosely — even when bowing in greeting, his spine remained perfectly straight.

Hua Yitang had clearly done his homework, addressing the broad-faced man as “Headmaster He,” the young man in green as “Proctor Qi,” and the elder as “Master Librarian Bai.”

Mu Xia had acquired the first-hand background information from Jin Ruo: “Headmaster He — He Sishan — is the principal of Sanhe Academy, thirty-eight years old, unmarried. He is a great Confucian scholar of considerable renown in the Andu region, primarily responsible for the academic teaching of the academy. Proctor Qi’s given name is Qi Mu; he handles the specific administrative affairs of the academy, including accounting, and overseeing the conduct of the students. His authority is second only to the headmaster. He is twenty-eight years old, unmarried. Master Librarian Bai’s given name is Bai Wen; he is responsible for managing the book tower, sixty-three years old, unmarried. These three constitute the entire senior management of Sanhe Academy.”

Lin Sui’an cast a sidelong glance: were they here on official business or scouting for marriages? Why specifically inquire about everyone’s marital status?

Hua Yitang had already fallen into warm conversation with the three of them, running through the standard three moves of social closeness: “A great honor to finally meet you,” “Your reputation precedes you,” and “How fortunate I am.” Then he turned toward Lin Sui’an and Fangke and was about to say “A great honor to finally meet you—” when He Sishan faltered.

He Sishan’s gaze locked rigidly onto Lin Sui’an. His eyes went taut and round. His face first flushed deep red, then drained to a sudden white. His mouth moved several times, his voice sounding as if it were being squeezed through a crack in a stone. “So it is Lin Niangzi of the Purity Gate. He Sishan pays his respects.”

Lin Sui’an sensed something was wrong. Since coming to Andu, this was already the second time she had met someone whose expression fell apart at the first sight of her — first Andu’s Prefect Jia, and now He Sishan. Both had been rooted in Andu for decades, and Lin Sui’an was visiting for the first time — so they couldn’t possibly have met “Lin Sui’an” before. That meant the person they recognized must be someone who greatly resembled her — an old acquaintance.

Hey, hey, hey — was that unlucky Yun Zhong Yue’s crow’s-mouth prediction actually coming true? Did she really have some connection with that war goddess?

While Lin Sui’an’s mind was running off in all directions, He Sishan had already composed himself and invited the group into the Sanhe Pavilion to sit and take tea. From that moment on, his gaze did not linger on Lin Sui’an for even a fraction of a moment — as though that split second of lost composure had never happened at all.

It was instead Proctor Qi Mu who glanced at Lin Sui’an several times.

Qi Mu was quite good-looking — a pale-faced scholar, refined and elegant. He looked over; Lin Sui’an, equally unembarrassed, looked right back. Qi Mu gave a slight start, pressed his lips into a faint smile, and averted his gaze.

Hua Yitang gave a pointed “ahem-cough-cough” as he sidled over. He had been about to produce his fan for flair, but then suddenly remembered it was far too cold for that — he had not brought it. Instead he drew the hand warmer from his sleeve and pressed it into Lin Sui’an’s hands, his tone warm and tender. “The weather is cold — don’t let yourself freeze.”

Lin Sui’an broke out in goosebumps from head to toe: what are you doing? I’m not cold!

Hua Yitang smiled brilliantly: there is a kind of cold called the cold Hua here feels on your behalf.

Fangke couldn’t bear to watch. He snatched the hand warmer and hugged it himself. “I’m cold.”

The silent three-way battle of glances between Hua Yitang, Lin Sui’an, and Fangke was in full plain view of the three academy men, who couldn’t help breaking into knowing expressions.

Lin Sui’an felt they might have misunderstood something.

Hua Yitang: “Speaking of the Imperial Book Office — it’s quite a novel institution to me. I’ve never heard of it before. What is it all about?”

Headmaster He: “The Imperial Book Office is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Academy. Half a year ago, the Emperor personally established it, with the aim of presenting books to private academies and village schools across the Tang Kingdom, encouraging the scholarship of civilian students in the countryside. The books presented are all carefully selected by the Imperial Book Envoys, and some are even ancient texts that have been in the Imperial Academy’s collection for decades. To humble mountain academies such as ours, they are treasures worth ten thousand in gold.”

“Does Headmaster He know who the Imperial Book Envoy coming this time might be?” Hua Yitang asked with curiosity.

“It is said that the Imperial Book Envoys are all close attendants of the Emperor, and generally hold other important positions — the Imperial Book Envoy role is typically a concurrent appointment.” Headmaster He shook his head. “We are simple village scholars — we naturally couldn’t guess the identity of the visitor.”

Hua Yitang scratched his head, his expression saying: if it’s a difficult one to deal with, things could get awkward.

Lin Sui’an: Don’t worry — there’s no one in the entire Tang Kingdom’s court more difficult to deal with than you.

Fangke: Ha.

From start to finish, the master librarian Bai Wen did not say a single word — he focused entirely on preparing tea. What he brewed was not the fashionable hundred-flower tea popular throughout the Tang Kingdom, but an old-style smoked tea. The kettle bubbled and boiled with green froth, and the air was filled with the aroma of Sichuan pepper, sour vinegar, and garlic. Fangke found it quite to his liking and drank three large cups. Hua Yitang merely touched it to his lips. Lin Sui’an suffered inwardly, quietly praying that the Imperial Book team would arrive soon.

Fortunately, in less than half a double-hour, the sound of hoofbeats came from the official road. Everyone was delighted and rose to go out to meet them. They saw a convoy of carriages moving slowly forward. At the head were two double-horse carriages — plain in appearance, pulled by black horses of strong bearing. Behind them were four cargo carts, each stacked with neat red lacquered wooden chests, covered in three layers: one layer of waterproof felt, one of cotton cloth wrapping, one of yellow brocade. The wheel tracks ran deep — clearly the crates contained very heavy items.

Twenty escort soldiers, black-robed, with silver armor on one shoulder — Lin Sui’an had seen this before: when the Emperor had traveled incognito as “Jiang Qi Niang,” the four generals by her side had been dressed exactly the same way. No doubt these guards had also been personally selected by the Emperor.

Hua Yitang and He Sishan led everyone forward to bow in greeting, calling out: “We respectfully welcome the Imperial Book Envoy.”

The convoy came to a steady halt. The door of the first carriage opened, and a figure stepped slowly down — cloaked in a great robe, skin white as jade, hair black as ink, like a branch of white plum blossoming in the snow.

Lin Sui’an and Hua Yitang both stared wide-eyed simultaneously: “Bai Ruyi?!”

“Ah — as I expected, it’s indeed Fourth Young Master.” The person who stepped gracefully through the snow from the second carriage arrived — wearing a spotless white fox-fur cloak, not a single stray hair on it, the same style as Hua Yitang’s. Her hair was coiled like clouds, her brows gently arched, eyes full of dancing light, and in that glance, the warmth of spring bloomed.

It was Hua Yitang’s second elder sister — Hua Yifeng.

Lin Sui’an shot a swift glance at Hua Yitang: well, well — from the looks of this situation, Bai Ruyi might actually become his second brother-in-law.

Side Story

Hua Yitang: Suddenly, I’m a bit displeased!